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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Review: Essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lash Mascara

I don't think that I have ever, in the five-year-history of this blog, made the following statement: This mascara will probably work for everyone.

But I think I've found the most universally-appealing, budget-friendly mascara that I've come across to date. Unless you require a waterproof formula (sorry, this one's washable), you might want to hear me out on this one. Meet Essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lash Mascara:

Essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lash Mascara
(retail: $4.99 at Ulta and select Walgreens locations, 0.33 oz)

If you're looking for a mascara that defines, separates, lifts, volumizes and lengthens, but doesn't do TOO much of any of those things, I think you might fall in love with this one. It does everything I listed above, but not in an extreme way. To me, it's the perfect everyday mascara that gives me everything I need in just a coat or two. 

As I've said many times, mascara is the THE MOST subjective makeup product on the planet. Whenever a mascara gets rave reviews, there's always a group of people who simultaneously despise it.  That's why I'm freaking out about THIS  mascara--I can really see this working for just about everyone (aside from those who require a waterproof formula). Keep reading to find out why!

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This brush has short, plastic bristles and the brush itself has a "springiness" to it which almost makes it lightly "bounce" during application (more on this later). Here's a picture to illustrate how pliable this brush is:

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It's bendy!

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My eye, no mascara.

Notice that have I have stick-straight, fine, short, sparse lashes. 

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My eye after two coats of 
Essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lash Mascara

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Same eye, another angle...

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Same eye, from farther away...

The lowdown: Looking at the photos above, you can see this mascara delivers lift, separation, definition, volume and length, but not too much of any of them. It's not a "Wow, look at me!" type of mascara, but two coats gives me everything I need, with no clumping, flaking, or smudging throughout the day. I can apply two coats and at the end of the day, my lashes still look fabulous (even given my super-oily skin, which tends to "eat" mascaras). Plus, it removes easily using just my regular facial cleanser, no eye makeup remover required. There is no strong fragrance to this mascara--I don't notice anything at all unless I hold the wand right up to my nose (and then it just has a typical "mascara" scent to it).

Application: I mentioned before that this brush is "springy". The part that connects the wand to the brush is very pliable, so there's little to no resistance when you're applying this mascara to your lashes. At first I thought this was going to be a bad thing (I like a firm wand) but because of the construction of the brush and how the bristles are made, THIS WORKS. I can't quite explain it, but the "springiness" of the brush enables me to get to each little lash and deposit just enough mascara to avoid clumping.

Why I think this will work for just about everyone: Every time I use this mascara (and I've used it many, many times to date), I keep thinking, "This would be lovely if you already had long lashes and just needed definition and a little volume." And then I think, "Wow, this would also work if you already had thick lashes and just needed a little bit of length and separation." And then I think, "Heck, this works for ME and I need all of the above!" I'm tell you, this mascara doesn't give extreme volume or extreme length, but it gives just the right amount of EVERYTHING. I love that it even gives me lift/curl, which means I don't have to use a lash curler (not like I ever do anyway). Every time I use it, I envision how it would work if I had long, thick lashes, and I just have this strong feeling that it would provide me the perfect amount of lift, definition and separation. And if your lashes are long and/or thick, I'm betting you'll only need one coat (but I need two, of course, since I have sad, sad lashes).

FINAL VERDICT: For lack of a better term, this mascara has got it going on. I honestly can't think of a person who wouldn't love this (or at least like it) aside from those who require a waterproof formula. I'm so confident that I'm going to go ahead and say it: This is the most universally-appealing drugstore mascara I've ever used. It's not going to give you crazy volume, length or curl, but I think it will give you just the right amount of everything. It's one of those go-to daily mascaras that you can reach for and feel confident about every time. If you don't believe me, give it whirl and see for yourself. But because I know there are bound to be SOME people who don't like it (which I can't wrap my mind around at this time but it's bound to happen!), just keep your receipt so you can return/exchange it. Ulta and Walgreens accept returns on used beauty products, on the off chance that you don't love it as much as I do. But I'm betting you will. Seriously, I think you will.

Essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lash Mascara is available at Ulta (in-store and online) and select Walgreens locations nationwide (click here to see if your Walgreens carries Essence). I know that you can also purchase Essence at HEB (Texas) and Fred Meyer (Pacific Northwest) but since I don't live in either region, I don't know if those retailers carry this particular mascara.

Do you already own this mascara? Because if you do, you KNOW I want to hear from you!

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.
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38 comments

  1. Great review! I'm a huge fan of mascaras that don't do "too much", and I love the ones from Revlon for that. I might just try this one :)

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    1. Thank you! :) Please let me know if you do!

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    2. I got this about a week ago and I LOVE IT! On par with "Better Than Sex" from TooFaced in my opinion, even easier to work with and layer as it just refuses to clump :) Thank you for yet another great review :)

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    3. O really? I've been eyeing that TF one, but heck I'll try this first for sure now :)

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  2. You speak the truth! I bought it a month ago and said the same thing

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    1. YES!!! Oh thank you so much for backing me up on that, girlie!! :)

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  3. you should try tightlining when you use eyeliner. it makes a world of difference!

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    1. Not a fan of tightlining (for me personally) but thanks for the tip! I just cannot stand putting anything up there (I can barely tolerate lining my waterline lol).

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    2. Omg I feel you. I can handle my waterline fine, but tightlining is one of the most uncomfortable makeup applications I've ever attempted so I don't

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    3. I don't tightline and very rarely do my waterline too. In fact, I was just thinking that I like my liner defined and not smudged, just like you have yours, G, the only difference, I do generally line the outer third of the bottom too.

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    4. Yep same for me. Tightlining gives me the shivers, I just can't take it. I wish I could but waterlining is about as good as it gets and even that's pushing it for me.

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  4. Just got an essence mascara and I really like it! And for only 4 dollars...I'll take it!

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    1. I've loved every Essence mascara I've tried, but I swear this one is extra special! I hope you love it if you try it! :)

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  5. In my ongoing quest for the perfect mascara, I stumbled on this one at Walgreens. I like it almost as much as Rimmel's Glam Retro (is that the name?). Yes, the applicator is strange and I didn't think I'd like it but it's pretty good! I have decent natural lashes and this Essence makes them look great :).

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    1. So VERY glad to hear it works for your already-nice natural lashes! Yay! :)

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  6. This definitely sounds like it could be my cheaper version of Chanel Le Volume, everything you said it does is why I love the Chanel mascara just not the $30 price. Thanks for the discovery G!

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    1. You're so welcome! I would absolutely love to know how you think they compare!! :)

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  7. Do you happen to know if it comes in brown or just black?

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  8. I love essence products I will defiantly be picking this up and trying it

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    1. Please let me know what you think if you do! :)

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  9. essence I Love Crazy Extreme Volume Mascara, pink tube $4.99, is still one of my favorites. Gives much more volume than in your photos. It has a more traditional wand but with a little ball at the tip that helps get all the little lashes. However, the wand on this new one looks like the one in Too Faced LashGasm that I just paid $20 for, lol! :)

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    1. I love that one too!! I reviewed it about a year ago:

      http://nouveaucheap.blogspot.com/2013/05/review-essence-i-love-extreme-crazy.html

      It even made my Cheapie Awards for best new mascara of 2013! :)

      I agree that it delivers more volume, but I think this new one has more universal appeal since it satisfies my need for volume but doesn't give too much volume (which could make it unattractive to those not looking for a lot of volume). Does that make sense? :)

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  10. I like the evenness of the application, and the idea of volume, curl and length in one sounds good. I think NYC has one with similar claims, in its LE displays at lest, if not the permanent collection.

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    1. I'm dying to try the new NYC one too! :)

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    2. Do you remember the name of the NYC? I think I just saw a display that may have it.

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  11. *sigh* I'm in the "needs waterproof" category. I love curl, and my lashes just don't keep a curl with washable formulas

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    1. I'm so sorry! I think that's the ONLY thing this doesn't provide. :(

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    2. Same here with the wp BUT you can get a waterproofing, or at least water resistant, top coat to put over it. Ulta and Anastasia both make one. The Ulta one works, I use it over mascaras like this and now I want to pick this one up too :) looks and sounds great.

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  12. I'll have to see if my Ulta has it. I'm looking for a new mascara since Covergirl discontinued their lash perfection formula.

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  13. G., or anyone else who tried this, how is this packaged? I don't hit the Essence display at Ulta very often because it is always a disaster. Was wondering if it is safety sealed?

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    1. Sadly, no. It isn't. That's why I bought mine online (you know me and safety seals! Lol!).

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  14. I love this mascara! This one actually gave quite a bit of volume to my sad, gangly lashes. The other new Essence mascara, Get Big! Lashes, was a total dud for me. This one's a keeper, though!

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  15. Thanks for the review! Here in Germany, the I <3 Extreme mascaras in black & pink are being the most popular ones from essence & from the drugstore in general :)

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  16. Great review. I've long but sparse lashes, bought this for only 5.65 in Toronto drug store and I am blown away by how much volume I receive. I've 5 other mascaras but have only worn this one the past week :-)

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  17. oh wow, it seems like it really works must give it a try

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  18. There is now a waterproof version of this mascara! I saw it at ULTA. The packaging is really cool, too. it reminded me of that MAC collection from this summer with the "water droplets" packaging. I'm not crazy about non-waterproof mascara, so I think I'll try this version.

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